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When Irish Eyes Are Smiling chords and lyrics

The heart of Irish Music - 2 versions

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling is a song that captures the essence of the Irish in every way. The lyrics were written by Chauncey Olcott & George. Graff Jr., and the music was written by Ernest R. Ball... more

There are many variations to the song, and it has been recorded by many popular Irish artists including, John McCormack, Roger Whittaker, Connie Francis, Bing Crosby, Perri Como, Rose Brennan, Joni James, and many more.

2 versions: The first version of the song is performed by Mary Duff, a popular Irish singer from County Donegal, Ireland. She only sings the chorus as do most recordings because it is the most popular part of the song. The second version is by Meav Ni Mhaolchatha (original member of Celtic Woman), which includes one of the verses.

For all key transpositions including optional chord charts, highlight & copy the song sheet above and click on the button... more.

Version 2:

Maev sings the song and includes the first verse from the original lyrics. Early recordings sing the verses, but most of the later recordings only feature the chorus. Maev is one of the few artists in the modern era to record one of the verses, and she sings it beautifully.

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling by Méav Ní Mhaolchatha
Intro: 3/4 | C | Am | F | G7 |
C
1. There's a tear in your eye___ And I'm wond-er-ing why
G7
For it ne-ver should be there at all
CA7
With such pow'r in your smile___ Sure a stone you'd be-guile
D7GG7
So there's nev-er a tear-drop should fall
C
When your sweet lilt-ing laugh-ter's___ Like some fa-iry song
C7F
And your eyes wink-le bright as can be
D7G
You should laugh all the while___ And all other times smile
D7GG7
And now smile a smile for me
CGCC7FCChorus: When I-rish eyes are smil-ing___ Sure, it’s like a morn in Spring
FC A7DD7GG7
In the lilt of I-rish laugh-ter___ You can hear the an-gels sing
CGCC7FC
When I-rish hearts are hap-py___ All the world seems bright and gay
FDmCA7D7G7C
And when I-rish eyes are smil-ing___ Sure they steal your heart a-way
| C | Am | F | G7 |
(way)
CGCC7FCChorus: When I-rish eyes are smil-ing___ Sure, it’s like a morn in Spring
FC A7DD7GG7
In the lilt of I-rish laugh-ter___ You can hear the an-gels sing
CGCC7FC
When I-rish hearts are hap-py___ All the world seems bright and gay
FDmCA7D7G7C
And when I-rish eyes are smil-ing___ Sure they steal your heart a-way...

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling Lyrics

There's a tear in your eye,
And I'm wondering why,
For it never should be there at all.
With such pow'r in your smile,
Sure a stone you'd beguile,
So there's never a teardrop should fall.
When your sweet lilting laughter's
Like some fairy song,
And your eyes twinkle bright as can be;
You should laugh all the while
And all other times smile,
And now, smile a smile for me.

Chorus: When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, it's like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

Chorus:

For your smile is a part
Of the love in your heart,
And it makes even sunshine more bright.
Like the linnet's sweet song,
Crooning all the day long,
Comes your laughter and light.
For the springtime of life
Is the sweetest of all
There is ne'er a real care or regret;
And while springtime is ours
Throughout all of youth's hours,
Let us smile each chance we get.

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, it's like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away

The Authors

A little bit about Chauncey Olcott, George Graff, Jr. and Ernest R. Ball

Chauncey Olcott was born in 1858 in Buffalo, New York. He was singer, songwriter and stage actor who sang in minstrel shows and later became a Broadway star with the help of Lillian Russel. In 1899, he wrote the song, My Wild Irish Rose for the production of A Romance of Athlone. When Irish Eyes Are Smiling was written in 1912 for the production of The Isle Of Dreams. When he retired, he moved to Monte Carlo where he later died in 1932. He was returned home where he was buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery which was located in The Bronx, New York.

George Graff, Jr. was born in 1886 in New York City. He was a songwriter and along with Chauncey Alcott, wrote the lyrics to 'When Irish Eyes Are Smiling'. He was responsible for writing many songs in collaboration with either Arthur Fields or Ernest Ball who were both noted singer/songwriters of the time. In 1973, he died at the age of 86 in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.

Ernest R. Ball was born in Cleveland Ohio on 1878. His most famous music composition was When Irish Eyes Are Smiling. He was an accomplished pianist who wrote many ballads with Irish themes. He wrote many American standards, sang in vaudeville, and also accompanied other singers. He died in 1927 while on tour in Santa Ana, California. It is interesting to note that his grandson was responsible for the manufacture of Ernie Ball guitar strings.

Album: Time After Time - Track listings

1. As Time Goes By - 3:17
2. When Your Old Wedding Ring Was New - 2:31
3. In the Chapel In the Moonlight - 2:43
4. Patti Page Medley: Old Cape Cod / With My Eyes Wide Open I'm Dreaming / Allegheny Moon - 3:08
5. Dream a Little Dream of Me - 3:39
6. Time After Time - 2:51
7. Till I Waltz Again With You - 2:55
8. When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.mp3 - 2:18
9. Get Well Soon - 3:29
10. The Nearness of You - 2:54
11. Vera Lynn Medley: Now Is the Hour / Yours / I'll Be Seeing You - 4:02
12. Our Love Is Here to Stay - 3:50
13. Always - 2:41
14. It Had to Be You - 3:24
15. On the Sunny Side of the Street - 2:29
16. Twilight Time - 3:50

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling Sheet Music - available at Sheet Music Plus - Piano/Vocal/Chords - 4 pages - D Major

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"When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" chords and lyrics are provided for educational purposes and personal use only.